Sunday, 6 September 2015

Martin Clunes: 'Doc Martin knows he needs to make a change if he wants to fix things'

Want an idea of just how popular
ITV’s Doc Martin is? When the Cornwall-based drama about a curmudgeonly
doctor advertised for extras in the local Port Isaac press, more than
800 people showed up.

In the giant queue, which snaked around the
local church hall, there were no fewer than 150 babies in prams and
pushchairs eager to be chosen for the role of the doctor’s 11-month-old
son, James Henry. That is one well-loved show!

Over six series,
Doc Martin has averaged nine million viewers a week in the UK and star
Martin Clunes, who plays the lovable yet grumpy medic, has won himself
an army of die-hard fans.

Calling themselves “Clunatics”, they
lavish gifts on the cast and crew to underline just how much they love
the drama. “They are a group of Doc Martin fans who keep thanking us for
helping them to make great friendships with other fans around the
world.

They Skype each other,” explains Martin, 53, who has played
the role for 11 years. “When episodes go out, they have discussions on
it, and when there are no episodes going out, they have more
discussions.